TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3928, 16 October 1873, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

ANOTHER GREAT FIRE IN

AUCKLAND,

£40,000 WORTH OF PROPERTY

DESTROYED,

[ANGLO - AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH

AGENCY.] Auckland, Wednesday. There was a great fire in Queen street last night, £40,000 worth of property being destroyed.

The fire commenced in the back, store belonging to J. S. Macfarlane, and extended to the adjoining one. It spread from these stores, destroying Eaton's back store, Henderson Macfarlane's front store, Soppett's, Bucholz's, J. S. Macfarlane's, Clarke Brothers', Garnett's, Leanning's, Stone Brothers', S. J. Edmonds', and Gr. W. Barney's. A large amount of goods was got out of the stores much damaged.

The' Insurance losses are — the South British, £11,885 ; New Zealand, £19,000; Norwich Union, £2000. The amount lost by the Victoria is largo, but actual amount not yet ascertained.

Soppett was uninsured. All the, stores were built of brick. There was a strong gale blowing during the fire.

When the fire was first discovered the streets were deserted, and no , assistance was near to attempt to extinguish it. The store where it originated was filled with flax, kauri gum, and damaged cotton wool (which had been discharged by the Lady Bowen, which put into port leaky). It is supposed this, ignited spontaneously. The goods burned with great fierceness, and the flames were driven on to front stores by the gale with great force.

The fire brigades were soon present, but found all efforts useless to extinguish the immense body of flame. Some of the crowd rushed into the front stores and removed a large quantity of merchandise. The gale drove the flames through Mr Macfarlane's front stores, and through the upstairs windows, nearly suffocating some volunteers. One was dragged out unconscious. A number were engaged removing goods from the front store, when the floor suddenly burst into flames. The men rushed down stairs, several narrowly escaping being burnt.

It is reported there are three missing, but whether they arc burnt or not cannot be ascertained.

M. Von Der Heyde, of the firm of Henderson and Macfarlane, was carried out of the store insensible, being suffocated by the smoke. He soon recovered. Shortly before, the two front walls of J. S. Macfarlane's, and Henderson and Macfarlane's stores, fell into Queen street with a terrific crash.

The Agent of the National Insurance Company refused yesterday a risk of £2000 on C. J. Stone's store. It has been completely destroyed. The matter was to have been settled this morning. Mr Alexander Saunders reports : — Buyers South British, 45s ; National Bank, 47s ; Crown Prince, 16s ; Royal Oak, 18s ; Union Beach, 28s. Sales — Caledonians, 370s to 4205, closing 3705.

73 applications have been received for the masterships of the Auckland Grammar School — 42 from Australia, 31 from all provinces in New Zealand. . The appointments will be made to-morrow.

The correct insurance companies' total losses are — New Zealand, £.16,050; South British, £5850 ; Victoria, £6000 ; Imperial, £700 ; Pacific, £2000 ; Norwich Union, £1000 ; Northern, £3000 ; besides other claims for partial damage amounting to £5000.

Total estimated damage, £50,000. The insurance companies have lost in Auckland, during the last twelve months, £73,000.

No lives have been lost, nor injury done to any person.

Mr Peter Boslam, landlord of the Royal Hotel, has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment for manslaughter of his wife, by beating her so brutally that miscarriage followed, which terminated fatally.

The Governor's Aide-de-Camp telegraphed to Auckland that his Excellency intends to leave Wellington by H.M.S. Pearl, if Lady Ferguson progresses favorably.

Taukanga, Wednesday. The Opotiki lino is pi'ogressing rapidly under the able superintendency of Mr Floyd, the eleeti'ician.

Williamson and Lusk are expected here at the end of the week on Superintendency matters.

Piki, a native, has been charged with robbing Mr Wrigley, a brewer, of £2 10s, and has been remanded till Monday. The Maoris are busy planting lar^e crops throughout the Bay of Plenty. Trade generally is improving. Grahamstown, Wednesday. There is great excitement in the Caledonian shares ; scrip has risen to £21. The manager has telegraphed the following to the Auckland manager : — "Small portion of nice golden stone came down with blast ; more gold showing behind. More mundic in reef generally. ''

The case for a breach of the Arms Act is proceeding in the local Court against Hart, gunsmith, who was charged with selling arms without a license. A committal is expected.

Napieu, Wednesday,

Mr 11. Miller reports the sale of Col. Whitmore's station at Apley, of 15,000 acres, for £35,000.

Owing to the holding of the Agricultural Show, to-day is observed as a general holiday.

The " Herald" announces that owing to the extraordinary increase which has taken place in the wealth and population of the district, the proprietary has determined in future to publish a sheet as large as the " Otago Daily Times." Gbeytown, Wednesday. At Featherston, on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr Wardell, the adjourned case of Thomas Ellis, who was charged with sheep stealing by Mr Maunsell, again came on for hearing. Mr Steadman appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Buckley for the defence. The latter called no witnesses, and asked for the case to be dismissed, on the ground that there was no conclusive evidence against the prisoner. The Court considered the prosecutor had altogether failed to establish his charge. The case was consequently dismissed.

Dunedin, Wednesday. Sailed — Gemsbock, for Auckland, yesterday, to load for New York. Hoskins' theatrical company, and Miss Aitken and Winter, have sailed for Chrislchurch per Taranaki.

Hoskins is ill at Dunedin.

The Rokeby Hall has arrived from Liverpool, all well on board. She brings two cabin and six steerage passengers. ■■ The Wariganui was taken, out ' of dock to-day. ': :• :; "' '. ,

Shares, in the National Bank and in the National Insurance, Company are in demand.

,' THe Customs duties for Dunedin average „£I6OO -daily. The gold escort for this month is larger' than for the previous' month. Considerable sympathy is expressed in favor of the captain^ of the William TapSCOtt. j' " TKe last quarters "imports aVTJunecfirT show £47,539, igainst £464,758 for the previous quarter. . The exports for the. last quarter amounted to £212,775. Trade is pretty brisk. '-'•-.• The Mosgiel Woollen Compaiiy and Building Company's shares are being fast taken up. . , The "Star" agrees with the "Guardian" that the Imperial Government be requested to secure the neutrality of the. Australasian colonies in the case' of England going to war. Hokitika, "Wednesday. The Claud Hamilton has arrived from Melbourne. She will be tendered at about 5 this afternoon.